Smart tips smooth out family travel

It takes a village to raise a child, and at least as many to entertain one on an airplane. With that in mind, Nina Willdorf, editor in chief of Budget Travel, collected travel advice from her readers for a handy new book, "The Smart Family's Passport: 350 Money, Time and Sanity Saving Tips" (Quirk Books, $14.95).

Here, a few of our favorites:

I write my cell phone number on the inside of rubber bracelets … and have my children wear them when we're away from home. That way, should we get separated, they can show the number to a helpful adult. — Susan Redman, Hebron, Conn.

When we take our kids to foreign destinations, in addition to spending days at museums, cathedrals and castles, we visit supermarkets and department stores. We learn a lot about each culture by perusing the aisles. Some food is odd to us, some is familiar and we always buy something new to try. — Gwen Gibbons, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Whenever we stay at a hotel whose rate doesn't include a continental breakfast, I bring several packages of instant oatmeal. Even rooms without a microwave often have a coffeemaker, so heating water isn't a problem. We all make our own oatmeal in the coffee cups provided. — Julie Bunczak, Wausau, Wis.

We pack a pop-up tent and set it up in a corner with books, a blanket and a few small stuffed animals. … My son has his own "room" when we vacation, and we all get to sleep through the night. — Geri Kronyak, Boonton, N.J.

While packing for a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, it occurred to me that instead of taking pillows, we could place our down coats inside our pillowcases. Just turn each coat inside out, form it into a pillow shape, and stuff it in the case. — Kathy Walle, Gettysburg, Pa.

My husband uses a small soft-sided cooler as his carry-on bag. When we arrive at our destination, we have a cooler to use in the hotel, in the rental car or at the beach. — Mary Wohlers, Fairfax, Iowa

To avoid the "can I have … " questions, set a trip allowance and stick to it. Upon arriving, we give our kids their souvenir money for the whole trip, and it's up to them to spend it wisely. — Nadine MacLane, Seattle, Wash.